Canon ql-17

[preforged]

I have a Canon ql-17 early veresion.It is in excellent cosmetic shape.I am having two problems with this camera.

1.The arpeture ring moves freely in the manual,and auto mode,but there are no leafs moving in lense.the only thing seen through the lens are the copal shutter leaves,the lens is wide open.

2.The meter in the viewfinder is very loose,and does not stay stationary.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[back alley]

any help for this new member?

joe

 

[zuikologist]

Welcome Preforged.

I think the meter problem is sometimes caused by dirty battery contacts and lack of use. I had the same issue with a newer QL17 GIII. Cleaning the contacts helped and the meter needle settled down after a while but still jumps from time to time. A new battery also helped. I think even the older QL17 requires that that you reduce ASA setting by 2/3 - 1 stop to compensate for the higher voltage of modern batteries.

Not sure about the aperture problem - it is usually the other way round - shutter leaves are usually stuck and aperture blades move. This problem might be for our Canonet experts!

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum preforged! 🙂 I'm definately not a technical expert, but on my Canonet the aperture ring does work in rather an odd way (at least to me) as follows:

If the camera is cocked and ready to fire, then when I turn the aperture ring I can see the aperture getting smaller and larger through the front of the lens. If the camera is not cocked (i.e. the film has not been wound on), if I rotate the ring so that the aperture gets smaller I can see that happening, but if I then rotate the ring back to where it was before (making the aperture larger) nothing happens. It is only when I turn the film lever to advance the film that the aperture is then made larger.

So if your cam is like mine, make sure that it is cocked and then see if the aperture ring works. If it doesn't, then hope that the cavalry (in the shape of g'man) arrives soon! 😉

 

[preforged]

Thanks everyone for there input,I got the meter working better(Thanks Zuikologist)I tried your advice Peter with no sucess,I am hoping the mechanism is not broke,but it is looking that way,So I am back to having no f stops.

 

[peter_n]

OK too bad! 🙁 One of the mechanical geniuses on the forum, grayhoundman (the g'man) will probably log in soon and come riding to the rescue. I think he lives toward the western part of the U.S. so it will take him a while yet to arrive. 🙂

 

[ErnestoJL]

Well, the Canonets have what is called shutter preferred automation, but fortunately this is mechanical, not electronic.
The way it works is like this:
Upon shutter cocking the diaphragm blades do nothin until you press the firing button. Then (either in auto or manual) when firing the shutter, the mechanism inside close the diaphragm to the selected aperture. In manual it goes to where you left the ring, in auto, to the aperture which the system found to be adequate. It uses a kind of staircase shaped metal piece which is stopped at some place by the meter needle, then setting the correct aperture for the film you use, shutter selected and light you have.
There is no problem in it as long as the meter works. You can check this by simply setting the shutter to B and with the back open, see when firing the shutter if the blades adjust to the different apertures you set.
Welcome to the forum and Good luck with that beautifull camera!
Ernesto.

 

[preforged]

Thanks again to all,I have a new unwanted developement,the meter screen and focus screen have completely vanished from the viewfinder,It seemed that this whole screen was a bit loose earlier.

 

[preforged]

I carefully removed the top cover,and I discovered a rectangular piece of glass,about 1 inch.completely loose,I just have to find out how to reset this piece in its correct position.

 

[ErnestoJL]

It´ll be rather easy: just check for the places where traces of adhesive remain. Usually this may fall into place easily but it would deserve a later check of the RF adjustment.
I guess this glass piece is the one that´s reflecting RF spot and metering scale into VF. Take care with the silvered surface, not to touch it.
Good luck!
Ernesto

 

[preforged]

Thanks Ernesto,I did a trial placement,and you are completely correct,the trick now will to get this glass allighned and readheared with something,since there are no tracks for it to follow into correct viewing position.

 

[zuikologist]

This repair looks like it will run for a while - keep us posted. There are some repair notes for the Canonet on the forum which might be helpful.

 

[preforged]

Got the mirror situated (thank you) now only two problems exsist.


1.Internal meter will only max out to f-4
2.The apeture opening appears to be fixed at mid opening,non-responsive to ring movement both in auto and manual,tested at b setting looking through rear of camera lens.Help apreciated.

 

[preforged]

This is the older ql-17,the first of the QL series looks like the 65' version

 

[ErnestoJL]

Regarding the meter needle, there would be some possibilities of it to occur:
The meter needle can be stopped a some point due to strange material inside the top cover (or inside the metal cover that protects the moving coil, or worst of all, the springs that keep the needle pointer at "0" position are mounted over itself due to a severe shock), or by the mechanism which transfer the meter reading to the VF.
For this you have to remove top cover and check with a magnifying glass if there is nothing strange which can be the cause, at same time you can check for the mechanical link between meter needle and the pointer which is a simple but delicate mechanical assy.
Hope you don´t have to open the meter moving coil assy. It´s a bit complicated and delicate. Check it with extreme care with a toothpick or something small, for if it´s free moving or not.

The meter also couldn´t go higher than f 4 due to electrical problems, say weak battery, some bad solderings or corroded battery contacts, or worst, the internal resistor(s) which transfer shutter speed info to the meter circuit. If that´s the case you have to remove the lens and open it to check.
Hope nothing of this last is your problem.

Ernesto

 

[preforged]

Now spending some time,I have resolved the meter problem sicking,and the apeture blades sticking.the needle lever was slightly bent,and I realligned and it works fine.The apeture was released with a small application of lighter fluid on blades,a little work in time ,and leaving overnight.the camera is ready to go,thanks to all that have been so very helpful to me .i will proudly post some photos soon.



Ed

 

[preforged]

My first roll came back,and everything appears well.The sharpness of detail is missing,I believe this may be due to the fact that a cd was scanned from the negs.,but I am very pleased and wish to thank everyone for getting me through.

 

[zuikologist]

Glad you got the camera up and running.